Hamas says it will release bodies of four hostages, including Bibas children, on Thursday and six living hostages on Saturday
SUMMARY
Hamas has announced it will return the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his 4-year-old brother, Ariel—the youngest captives taken on October 7. On Saturday, six living hostages will also be freed, doubling the expected number. Israel confirmed the agreement and said more slain hostages will be returned next week. Families of the victims have been notified, and Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Hamas claimed in November that Kfir and Ariel were killed in an Israeli airstrike, along with their mother, but Israel has not confirmed this. Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released alive earlier this month. The red-haired baby, smiling in hostage posters worldwide, has become a symbol of Israel’s grief. As this phase of the truce ends, Israel and Hamas are set to begin talks on the next stage of a ceasefire and potential future agreements.
